As one of the leading scorers in NHL history, former Los Angeles Kings great Marcel Dionne knows a thing or two about creating offense. Apparently Dionne isn’t shy about critiquing the current Kings’ best source of production, either.

“I think Kopitar’s at the point in his career where he has to decide what he wants to do,” Dionne said. “Does he want to be the guy? He should be looking at the situation and what’s going with (Evgeni) Malkin. When (Sidney) Crosby was playing, Malkin was happy to be second fiddle. Then, when Crosby went out, Malkin took over.”

“[Kopitar] reminds me a little bit of Mats Sundin. They’re big guys, but when they get close to the net, they’re not aggressive enough. I still have confidence in him. But, sometimes, management [is] too nice to stars. He needs a wake-up call.”

Kopitar leads the Kings in goals (18), assists (36) and points (54) this season, but that still might be a disappointing output for some. Do you think Dionne has a point about Kopitar’s supposed lack of assertiveness or does it really come down to a lack of support from the players around him?

Either way, Kopitar will get his next chance to heed that “wake-up call” against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

It has nothing to do with penalties being down, it has to do with Anze being fat and out of shape like Ovi.

Marcel is correct.

blomfeld - Mar 2, 2012 at 11:44 PM

Shut your yap Dionne !

You did “nothing” for us during your time in LA from the late 70’s to early 80’s … and so you’ve no legitimate platform from which to speak. In fact, you sir, are the very reason why I was disenfranchised from my beloved Kings during this dark era. I say to you right here and now … get lost you “fake” French parasite and leave important matters which need to be discussed like this, to those who count and care !

Wow. A Kings fan hating on Dionne. What’s next, tarring and feathering Teemu in the Peg? Lynching Dougie Gilmour in T.O.? Lanny McDonald getting dragged out into the street and shot in Calgary?

blomfeld - Mar 3, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Off with their heads … the lot of them !

Just kidding, as those were all “good” guys … the problem with Dionne, is that during his decade with the Kings they were “year in and year out” just a 500 team … while in ’74-75, the year prior to this parasite’s arrival, the Kings were in the Norris Division with Montreal and amassed 103 points, which still stands as their “greatest ever” season points total to this very day ! … now that was truly an excellent team, including the likes of Nevin, Kozak, Berry, Komadouski, Corrigan, Harper, Williams, Murphy, Carr, Kannegieser, Brown, Edwards, St.Marseilles, Widing, Goring … and not least of all “Coach of the Year” Bob Pulford !

in many ways, when I hear people bring up Dionne and how great he was etc, it really reminds me of people who bring up the “Steamer” here in Vancouver … it’s a complete joke ! … what in the hell did the “Steamer” accomplish during his tenure as captain of the Canucks ? … positively nothing !